Neck: practice question

A Anatomy question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Anatomy · Neck

Sample item

Which nerve is at risk during thyroid surgery and can cause hoarseness if injured?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

C. Recurrent laryngeal nerve

The recurrent laryngeal nerve supplies most intrinsic laryngeal muscles and lies close to the thyroid gland, so injury can impair vocal-cord movement and cause postoperative hoarseness or airway issues if bilateral.

Option by option

  • A. Greater occipital nerve

    Greater occipital nerve supplies posterior scalp sensation.

  • B. Phrenic nerve

    Phrenic nerve injury affects diaphragm function rather than voice.

  • C. Recurrent laryngeal nerve (correct)

    Correct: recurrent laryngeal nerve injury can impair vocal-cord movement.

  • D. Facial nerve

    Facial nerve injury affects facial expression rather than vocal cords.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

More Anatomy questions

Questions about this Anatomy question

What is the answer to this Anatomy question?

The best answer is C, Recurrent laryngeal nerve. The recurrent laryngeal nerve supplies most intrinsic laryngeal muscles and lies close to the thyroid gland, so injury can impair vocal-cord movement and cause postoperative hoarseness or airway issues if bilateral.

Why is "Greater occipital nerve" not the answer?

Greater occipital nerve supplies posterior scalp sensation.

Why is "Phrenic nerve" not the answer?

Phrenic nerve injury affects diaphragm function rather than voice.

Why is "Facial nerve" not the answer?

Facial nerve injury affects facial expression rather than vocal cords.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Neck in Anatomy. The correct option holds because: Correct: recurrent laryngeal nerve injury can impair vocal-cord movement.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Neck?

Learn every nerve by its route, its muscles and what a lesion looks like at the bedside. That one habit answers a large share of questions. Then use the flashcards and the other Anatomy questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.